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TORONTO - The rubber stamp came from the National Hockey League not long before 8 p.m. on Monday night.

Ten games for David Clarkson, the Maple Leafs’ big-fish signing during the summer. See you on Oct. 25 in Columbus.

Clarkson was suspended automatically for leaving the bench to join a brawl during the third period of the Leafs’ 5-3 pre-season win against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night. He has been docked $269,230.80 US, money that will go to the NHL players’ emergency assistance fund.

“We have to accept responsibility for it and move forward,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said after practice at the MasterCard Centre.

“We do what we have to do and get our team ready now, we just get ready without one player.”

But Clarkson is, or will be, a crucial part of the Leafs. Replacing the Mimico native, who signed a seven-year, $36.75-million contract in July, won’t be done easily.

“We were able to do it last year when we had injuries to (Joffrey Lupul), and that is what we are going to have to do (again),” centre Jay McClement said. “Other guys will have to pick up the slack.”

Despite his soon-to-be absence, Clarkson, who jumped over the boards after Sabres enforcer John Scott went after Phil Kessel, was lauded by his Leafs teammates.